Being stupid, as the saying goes, is like being dead – you’re oblivious either way, so it’s only really a problem for the people around you. The people around TV documentarian Philomena Cunk therefore, have a major problem.
At the end of January this year, America met Cunk properly for the first time when new show Cunk on Earth arrived on Netflix US. A documentary series follow-up to 2018’s Cunk on Britain, it’s an ambitious attempt to sum up the history of humankind in five half-hour episodes, made even more ambitious by the fact that it’s presented by a total moron.
A deliberate total moron, let’s be clear. Some apparently still aren’t clear that Philomena Cunk is not a real TV presenter but a character played by British comedy actor Diane Morgan. When Morgan appeared on US chat show Late Night With Seth Meyers earlier this year,...
At the end of January this year, America met Cunk properly for the first time when new show Cunk on Earth arrived on Netflix US. A documentary series follow-up to 2018’s Cunk on Britain, it’s an ambitious attempt to sum up the history of humankind in five half-hour episodes, made even more ambitious by the fact that it’s presented by a total moron.
A deliberate total moron, let’s be clear. Some apparently still aren’t clear that Philomena Cunk is not a real TV presenter but a character played by British comedy actor Diane Morgan. When Morgan appeared on US chat show Late Night With Seth Meyers earlier this year,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Ricky Gervais has directed his first BBC project for a decade as the corporation’s Comedy Director Jon Petrie unveils his debut batch of 11 Short Films since taking on the role last year.
Deadline can reveal that The Office and After Life creator Gervais has directed 7 Minutes, a show about two people awkwardly contemplating suicide from his own Derek Productions.
Penned by Harry Carlile and Jonathan Parramint and starring Joe Wilkinson and Seroca Davis, 7 Minutes’ logline reads: “A desolate train track seems the perfect spot to end it all, until someone else turns up with the same idea. Awkward.”
Gervais’ last BBC project was the Warwick Davis-starring Life’s Too Short, which ran from 2011 to 2013 and was co-written with long-time writing partner Stephen Merchant. Since then, he has mostly made shows for Netflix such as global smash After Life.
Petrie’s Comedy Shorts are comprised of 10-15 minute one-offs,...
Deadline can reveal that The Office and After Life creator Gervais has directed 7 Minutes, a show about two people awkwardly contemplating suicide from his own Derek Productions.
Penned by Harry Carlile and Jonathan Parramint and starring Joe Wilkinson and Seroca Davis, 7 Minutes’ logline reads: “A desolate train track seems the perfect spot to end it all, until someone else turns up with the same idea. Awkward.”
Gervais’ last BBC project was the Warwick Davis-starring Life’s Too Short, which ran from 2011 to 2013 and was co-written with long-time writing partner Stephen Merchant. Since then, he has mostly made shows for Netflix such as global smash After Life.
Petrie’s Comedy Shorts are comprised of 10-15 minute one-offs,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The universe of the globally popular “Death in Paradise” series is being expanded with new show “Beyond Paradise.”
The new series follows characters who have moved from sunny Saint Marie to rural Britain. Co-commissioned by BBC One and BritBox International, and reuniting Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton in the lead roles, the six-part “Beyond Paradise,” created by Tony Jordan and Robert Thorogood, will be produced by Red Planet Pictures.
Executive chair of Red Planet, Jordan, will act as showrunner and executive producer alongside Tim Key and Belinda Campbell, and Diederick Santer and Tommy Bulfin will executive produce for BritBox International and BBC respectively. BBC Studios will handle international distribution. The series is produced by Lindsay Hughes and directed by Sandy Johnson. Filming will start on location in the U.K. later this year.
The deal is part of a slate with U.K. broadcasters BBC and ITV unveiled by BritBox...
The new series follows characters who have moved from sunny Saint Marie to rural Britain. Co-commissioned by BBC One and BritBox International, and reuniting Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton in the lead roles, the six-part “Beyond Paradise,” created by Tony Jordan and Robert Thorogood, will be produced by Red Planet Pictures.
Executive chair of Red Planet, Jordan, will act as showrunner and executive producer alongside Tim Key and Belinda Campbell, and Diederick Santer and Tommy Bulfin will executive produce for BritBox International and BBC respectively. BBC Studios will handle international distribution. The series is produced by Lindsay Hughes and directed by Sandy Johnson. Filming will start on location in the U.K. later this year.
The deal is part of a slate with U.K. broadcasters BBC and ITV unveiled by BritBox...
- 6/29/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
UK comedian Diane Morgan’s beloved Philomena Cunk character is returning to the BBC and Netflix for a mockumentary unlocking the mystery of human civilization to discover humankind’s greatest achievements.
Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ indie Broke & Bones is behind Cunk on Earth, which will see Morgan reprise the role that placed her on the comedy map with BBC2’s Cunk on Britain.
Long-time Brooker collaborator Morgan was most recently seen in Broke & Bones’ Netflix comedy special Death to 2021 and Cunk on Earth is the first time the Motherland star’s show has been co-produced for the BBC and Netflix, with the U.S. streamer taking rights outside of the UK and Ireland.
From virtually nothing to virtual reality, Cunk will comically tell the story of our greatest inventions such as the wheel, the Mona Lisa and nuclear power. Along the way, she will ask experts hard-hitting questions about humanity’s progress,...
Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ indie Broke & Bones is behind Cunk on Earth, which will see Morgan reprise the role that placed her on the comedy map with BBC2’s Cunk on Britain.
Long-time Brooker collaborator Morgan was most recently seen in Broke & Bones’ Netflix comedy special Death to 2021 and Cunk on Earth is the first time the Motherland star’s show has been co-produced for the BBC and Netflix, with the U.S. streamer taking rights outside of the UK and Ireland.
From virtually nothing to virtual reality, Cunk will comically tell the story of our greatest inventions such as the wheel, the Mona Lisa and nuclear power. Along the way, she will ask experts hard-hitting questions about humanity’s progress,...
- 1/4/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix announced the comedy event “Death to 2021” will premiere Dec. 27.
The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.
In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic. “I got on quite well with one of them,” says the character. “We even had a cuddle.” The scene then cuts to the pair on a virtual date over Zoom, awkwardly leaning towards their computers.
“Death to 2021” is executive produced by Annabel Jones and Ben Caudell. Nick Vaughan-Smith produces, and Jack Clough and Josh Ruben direct. The special was written by Caudell.
The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.
In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic. “I got on quite well with one of them,” says the character. “We even had a cuddle.” The scene then cuts to the pair on a virtual date over Zoom, awkwardly leaning towards their computers.
“Death to 2021” is executive produced by Annabel Jones and Ben Caudell. Nick Vaughan-Smith produces, and Jack Clough and Josh Ruben direct. The special was written by Caudell.
- 12/2/2021
- by Katie Song and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Following Jon Petrie’s appointment as the BBC’s director of comedy in July, he has now revealed his commissioning team, including the newly-created role of head of comedy talent development.
Tanya Qureshi (“I May Destroy You”) stays on as head of BBC comedy alongside commissioning editor Gregor Sharp (“Starstruck”) and assistant commissioner in the norther Hannah Rose.
They will be joined by two new commissioning editors, Emma Lawson (“Trying”) and Ben Caudell (“Mandy”) as well as acting commissioning editor Seb Barwell (“Hattie”), who is joining in a temporary capacity from November until April 2022.
Lawson brings over 20 years’ experience in scripted television. She produced Apple Plus’s first scripted comedy, “Trying” and has developed a sitcom for Sky One. She also counts Objective, Fremantle and Roughcut TV on her resume.
Caudell moves into his role after executive producing two series of “Mandy” and “Famalam” as well as a number of other shows.
Tanya Qureshi (“I May Destroy You”) stays on as head of BBC comedy alongside commissioning editor Gregor Sharp (“Starstruck”) and assistant commissioner in the norther Hannah Rose.
They will be joined by two new commissioning editors, Emma Lawson (“Trying”) and Ben Caudell (“Mandy”) as well as acting commissioning editor Seb Barwell (“Hattie”), who is joining in a temporary capacity from November until April 2022.
Lawson brings over 20 years’ experience in scripted television. She produced Apple Plus’s first scripted comedy, “Trying” and has developed a sitcom for Sky One. She also counts Objective, Fremantle and Roughcut TV on her resume.
Caudell moves into his role after executive producing two series of “Mandy” and “Famalam” as well as a number of other shows.
- 11/3/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
BBC Comedy Director Jon Petrie has unveiled his new-look comedy commissioning team following a spate of recent departures, with AppleTV+’s Trying producer Emma Lawson joining alongside E4 digital commissioner Navi Lamba and Roughcut TV’s Seb Barwell.
Petrie’s appointment earlier this year came off the back of the departure of former Comedy Director Shane Allen, Head of Comedy Kate Daughton and Commissioning Editors Alex Moody and Sarah Asante, all within a few weeks of each other.
Replacements in the Commissioning Editor team are revealed today as Lawson, whose previous credits include Cuckoo and Peep Show, Mandy’s Ben Caudell, who has been acting but joins on a permanent basis, and Roughcut TV’s Stath Lets Flats producer Seb Barwell, who conversely joins on an acting basis for the next six months.
Lawson most recently worked on Rafe Spall’s AppleTV+ comedy Trying, which led to an in-house commissioning...
Petrie’s appointment earlier this year came off the back of the departure of former Comedy Director Shane Allen, Head of Comedy Kate Daughton and Commissioning Editors Alex Moody and Sarah Asante, all within a few weeks of each other.
Replacements in the Commissioning Editor team are revealed today as Lawson, whose previous credits include Cuckoo and Peep Show, Mandy’s Ben Caudell, who has been acting but joins on a permanent basis, and Roughcut TV’s Stath Lets Flats producer Seb Barwell, who conversely joins on an acting basis for the next six months.
Lawson most recently worked on Rafe Spall’s AppleTV+ comedy Trying, which led to an in-house commissioning...
- 11/3/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
"Tonight we celebrate the cliches that have made cinema what it is today!" Netflix has revealed an official trailer for a fun one-hour comedy special coming up next week titled Attack of the Hollywood Cliches!, an authentic tribute to Hollywood history and a chance to make fun of all the dumb things movies do. This is an hour-long one-off event made by Netflix. A special featuring some of the most famous films along with Screenwriters, Academics and Critics as they guide through the funny, weird and controversial clichés which appear on the screens. Ben Caudell is the head writer alongside writers including Dane Baptiste, Sean Doherty, Erika Ehler, Jason Hazeley, Daniel Maier, Michael Odewale, Charlie Skelton. The special is hosted by Rob Lowe, who takes us through some of the best and worst cliches - like the desk sweep, the ticking bomb, the maverick cop. It actually looks like good,...
- 9/24/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Never mind the fact that Netflix original films traffic quite heavily in well-worn tropes — the streaming service has launched the first trailer for a new comedy special called “Attack of the Hollywood Clichés!” that finds celebrities discussing, dissecting, and having fun with familiar plot beats in your favorite movies. Hosted by Rob Lowe, the one-off special features a wide range of celebrities weighing in on everything from the Meet-Cute to the Ticking Time Bomb to the Jump Scare, using iconic films like “Forrest Gump” and “Out of the Past” as examples.
“Stock characters, familiar story beats, and convenient plot devices have crept in over time,” Lowe says in the trailer. “Tonight, we celebrate the clichés that have made cinema what it is today,” Lowe adds, as Netflix is pegging the special as something between a comedy special and a celebration of cinema history. It’s not quite the full-on roasting...
“Stock characters, familiar story beats, and convenient plot devices have crept in over time,” Lowe says in the trailer. “Tonight, we celebrate the clichés that have made cinema what it is today,” Lowe adds, as Netflix is pegging the special as something between a comedy special and a celebration of cinema history. It’s not quite the full-on roasting...
- 9/24/2021
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
BBC Three is set to air a comedy special celebrating mockumentary series “People Just Do Nothing.”
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” will follow the group of DJs and MCs behind pirate radio station Kurupt FM. Starring Allan Mustafa, Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin and Steve Stamp, the first episode of the popular series aired in 2012 on BBC iPlayer and was soon followed by five hit seasons.
The special will also feature celebrity fans including BBC DJ Clara Amfo, “The Hobbit” star Martin Freeman, rapper Dizzee Rascal and singer Craig David.
A feature based on the show, “People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan,” is set for theatrical release on Aug. 18.
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” is made by Roughcut TV for BBC Three. Director of BBC comedy, Shane Allen, and BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell commissioned the special.
Ash Atalla exec produces for...
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” will follow the group of DJs and MCs behind pirate radio station Kurupt FM. Starring Allan Mustafa, Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin and Steve Stamp, the first episode of the popular series aired in 2012 on BBC iPlayer and was soon followed by five hit seasons.
The special will also feature celebrity fans including BBC DJ Clara Amfo, “The Hobbit” star Martin Freeman, rapper Dizzee Rascal and singer Craig David.
A feature based on the show, “People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan,” is set for theatrical release on Aug. 18.
“Kurupting the Industry: The People Just Do Nothing Story” is made by Roughcut TV for BBC Three. Director of BBC comedy, Shane Allen, and BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell commissioned the special.
Ash Atalla exec produces for...
- 7/20/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC’s classic comedy The Vicar Of Dibley is to return for a series of lockdown specials as part of the corporation’s festive line-up this year.
Penned by Four Weddings And A Funeral writer Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, the series of three 10-minute shorts will feature Dawn French reprising her role as vicar Geraldine Grainger.
Grainger will reflect on an extraordinary year for the country and her parish, during which she has been delivering sermons over Zoom. Hugo Horton (James Fleet) will also feature.
The Vicar Of Dibley has returned for many specials over the years and was last on the BBC in April when Grainger delivered an address to the nation as part of The Big Night In charity spectacular.
The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown is produced by Jon Plowman, while Curtis and Peter Bennett-Jones are the executive producers. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore,...
Penned by Four Weddings And A Funeral writer Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, the series of three 10-minute shorts will feature Dawn French reprising her role as vicar Geraldine Grainger.
Grainger will reflect on an extraordinary year for the country and her parish, during which she has been delivering sermons over Zoom. Hugo Horton (James Fleet) will also feature.
The Vicar Of Dibley has returned for many specials over the years and was last on the BBC in April when Grainger delivered an address to the nation as part of The Big Night In charity spectacular.
The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown is produced by Jon Plowman, while Curtis and Peter Bennett-Jones are the executive producers. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore,...
- 11/17/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC One is going to remake a German comedy about a crime scene cleaner, with The Inbetweeners and Taskmaster star Greg Davies writing and starring.
Studio Hamburg Production Group’s Der Tatortreiniger (Crime Scene Cleaner) will be remade into a six-part series, centering on Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead who mops up crime scenes after the police have concluded their detective work.
As Wicky removes the gruesome mess, he stumbles across the strangest of people: from the victim’s relatives, employers, neighbors, and acquaintances, to occasionally even the murderers themselves. And because he’s a sociable type, he sometimes gossips more than he cleans.
Titled The Cleaner, it was originally created by Ingrid Lausund and will be made by Studio Hamburg UK. The executive producer for Studio Hamburg UK is Vivien Muller-Rommel. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Shane Allen and Ben Caudell.
Allen said: “Greg has done a knockout job of...
Studio Hamburg Production Group’s Der Tatortreiniger (Crime Scene Cleaner) will be remade into a six-part series, centering on Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead who mops up crime scenes after the police have concluded their detective work.
As Wicky removes the gruesome mess, he stumbles across the strangest of people: from the victim’s relatives, employers, neighbors, and acquaintances, to occasionally even the murderers themselves. And because he’s a sociable type, he sometimes gossips more than he cleans.
Titled The Cleaner, it was originally created by Ingrid Lausund and will be made by Studio Hamburg UK. The executive producer for Studio Hamburg UK is Vivien Muller-Rommel. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Shane Allen and Ben Caudell.
Allen said: “Greg has done a knockout job of...
- 8/26/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Charlie Brooker is going to turn his acerbic gaze on coronavirus in a special edition of his BBC Wipe brand, which also marks the first commission for his new production venture Broke And Bones.
In a co-production with Endemol Shine UK, the companies will make Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe for BBC Two — a 30-minute look at life in Covid-19 lockdown. Wipe‘s recurring fictional talking heads Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) and Barry Shitpeas (Al Campbell) are also set to feature.
Screenwipe first launched in 2006 with Brooker providing a sharp-eyed view on television. The show...
In a co-production with Endemol Shine UK, the companies will make Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe for BBC Two — a 30-minute look at life in Covid-19 lockdown. Wipe‘s recurring fictional talking heads Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) and Barry Shitpeas (Al Campbell) are also set to feature.
Screenwipe first launched in 2006 with Brooker providing a sharp-eyed view on television. The show...
- 4/21/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
“Black Mirror” creator Charlie Brooker is making a half-hour isolation special of his “Wipe” review series for the BBC, with the working title of “Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe.”
Before “Black Mirror,” Brooker rose to fame with the BBC “Wipe” review series, which began in 2006 with “Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe,” and went on to include “Newswipe with Charlie Brooker,” “Charlie Brooker’s Gameswipe” and “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe.” The last episode of his annual “Wipe” review ran in 2016.
Last year, Brooker said he was too busy working on Netflix series “Black Mirror” to focus on “Wipe,” but the lockdown has clearly freed up some of his time.
The BBC said Brooker will be taking “a typically sharp look at life in lockdown, in a show made during lockdown.” The program will air on channel BBC Two.
As well as coverage of the crisis itself, Brooker will also be looking...
Before “Black Mirror,” Brooker rose to fame with the BBC “Wipe” review series, which began in 2006 with “Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe,” and went on to include “Newswipe with Charlie Brooker,” “Charlie Brooker’s Gameswipe” and “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe.” The last episode of his annual “Wipe” review ran in 2016.
Last year, Brooker said he was too busy working on Netflix series “Black Mirror” to focus on “Wipe,” but the lockdown has clearly freed up some of his time.
The BBC said Brooker will be taking “a typically sharp look at life in lockdown, in a show made during lockdown.” The program will air on channel BBC Two.
As well as coverage of the crisis itself, Brooker will also be looking...
- 4/21/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Revisiting 18 years of pop culture, from Arrested Development to Skins, as well as a little-known show called The Wire
2004: Wardrobe malfunction
Spotted! Grime "Alternatively called 8 bar, sub-low or eski… there's no particular structure, just an average 136+ Bpm, lots of speaker-shattering bass, and tales of girls, guns, drug-dealing and the ultimate crowd-pleaser, 'slewing' – slagging off the competition a la Eminem in 8 Mile." Hattie Collins merks it
Jesus wept "If you're a male flagellation buff out for a night on the town with the girlfriend who hates Jerry Seinfeld and the rest of the children of Israel, I honestly can't think of a better date flick." Joe Queenan spots Mel Gibson's antisemitic streak in The Passion Of The Christ
Sign of the times The iTunes Music Store launches in June. "If one aspect of the iTunes Store might give the serious music fan pause," writes Andrew Mueller, "it is this: the rock'n'roll album,...
2004: Wardrobe malfunction
Spotted! Grime "Alternatively called 8 bar, sub-low or eski… there's no particular structure, just an average 136+ Bpm, lots of speaker-shattering bass, and tales of girls, guns, drug-dealing and the ultimate crowd-pleaser, 'slewing' – slagging off the competition a la Eminem in 8 Mile." Hattie Collins merks it
Jesus wept "If you're a male flagellation buff out for a night on the town with the girlfriend who hates Jerry Seinfeld and the rest of the children of Israel, I honestly can't think of a better date flick." Joe Queenan spots Mel Gibson's antisemitic streak in The Passion Of The Christ
Sign of the times The iTunes Music Store launches in June. "If one aspect of the iTunes Store might give the serious music fan pause," writes Andrew Mueller, "it is this: the rock'n'roll album,...
- 1/5/2013
- by The Guide
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.